meet our staff

Our professional dance instructors bring a wide variety of performance and educational experience to dance students in the Greater Richmond area. Click on the names below to find out more.

Karen flores

Cheryl brower

Angelina Gallo

Bridget Lundberg

Dana Delucie

Angelica Burgos

Leah Cain

KAREN KING FLORES Artistic Director/Owner

Karen King Flores is a certified dance instructor through Dance Masters of America and the owner and Artistic Director of Encore Studio. Her early career allowed her performing opportunities with the Beaumont Civic Ballet, The Houston Ballet, The Concert Ballet of Virginia and The Richmond Ballet. She performed with the Southwest Regional Ballet Festival and served as an apprentice under Robert Joffrey.

She has studied with many great dancers over her years of training, but chose to share her passion to educate dancers by opening Encore Studio in 1991. Her enthusiasm for dance allowed her the pleasure to work with many students in her first years, but as the demand for classes grew, she focused on developing a curriculum for the staff members to implement.

Under Karen’s direction, Encore Studio services more than 1,000 students throughout Chesterfield County. She has led students to stages in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and on Grand Bahamas Island. Her students have been accepted at Virginia School of the Arts, Royal Academy of Ballet, local and regional Governor’s Schools, as well as Thomas Dale Specialty Center for the Arts. Encore students often continue to dance in college, and some have gone on to a professional career in dance.

Currently, Karen focuses on developing continued curriculum for the students of Encore Studio and bringing them the best instruction. She continues her work on sharing the love of arts to the community, and produces an annual recital production that has become an anticipated event in Chesterfield County.

After more than 25 years as the Encore Studio Artistic Director, Karen remains active in all studios, and she shares her greatest accomplishment as parent. Her 18-year-old daughter, Mallory, is a graduate of the Encore Curriculum and was a participant of the Competitive Dance Program at Encore for 10 years. Mallory is currently a member of the Rally Cat Dance Team and can been seen on the sidelines cheering on the Clemson Tigers!

Born and raised in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, Cheryl Brower started her extensive training with Denise Daniele Dance Studios, where she trained for 15 years. There she participated in the "City Lights Dance Company" and participated in competitions throughout the East Coast. On the competitive circuit, Cheryl was a standout and won scholarships in Jazz and Tap from conventions such as Jump, NYCDA and the Tremaine Dance Series.

Cheryl continued her training throughout high school, focusing on ballet, tap, jazz and modern dance styles. She attended East Carolina University's Dance program where her choreography was well received due to her intensity and high-energy style. She graduated in 2010 with a BFA in Dance Performance with a concentration in Jazz Dance. Cheryl has trained with dance masters such as Michael Minery, Doug Caldwell, Desiree Robbins and Keri LaGrand.

Cheryl’s professional credits include participation in the annual "Dancers Responding to Aids Benefit" in Bryant Park, New York City, for an audience of more than 3,000. She has also performed in the Broadway production of "Broadway's Greatest Showstoppers" featuring the New York Philharmonic, Marvin Hamlisch, and Tony Award winners Kristin Chenoweth and Raul Esparza. Cheryl has also performed as part of Mike Minery's tap intensive in the off Broadway production of "SLIDE" accompanied by the Duke Ellington Orchestra.

The Encore Studio family is honored to have Cheryl's expertise, extensive training and choreographic abilities since 2010. Cheryl is extremely excited to have made Richmond her home and is eager to tackle the continued growth of the students of Encore Studio.

Born and raised in Plymouth, Michigan, Angelina Rackley studied under the direction of Theresa Valchine and Cyndi Buczek at “Dance Extreme.” Angelina has participated in and won many regional and national titles, including the “Star Systems” top regional soloist three years in a row and the national top soloist winner in 2004 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Angelina began her career teaching at “Dance Extreme,” and she was the recipient of the “California Contemporary Workshop Scholarship” in 2007 and “SHOCK The Intensive Scholarship” in 2005. She was a feature performer in the “Make a Wish Celebration of Dance Showcase” and has assisted Kevin “Tokyo” Inoue and Sonya Weast.

Following her desire to study dance in New York City, Angelina enrolled in the work/study program at Broadway Dancer Center. The program allowed her to train at the top dance facilities in New York City with numerous industry greats. After studying jazz, tap, contemporary and ballet for two years in New York, she returned to the classroom the share her style and techniques with students.

Angelina is widely recognized for her unique and edgy style of dance and her award-winning choreography, and she is credited with beginning the Contemporary trend in the Richmond market. Thanks to her ability to inspire, educate, create unique movements and make the experience positive and uplifting, Angel’s classes fill quickly.

She teaches her students to understand their bodies and how they have the ultimate control to create any movement asked or desired. Her forte is giving her students the opportunity to dig deep within themselves and try new movements. She has a way of touching her student’s lives with passion, emotional expression and a creative style of dance.

Bridget Lundberg is a native of Richmond, Virginia. An honors graduate of Christopher Newport University, Bridget received several awards from the faculty of CNU for her outstanding devotion and positivity pertaining to the growth of the arts department and her commitment to sharing her talent across professional and student-run productions.

Bridget’s specialty is working with young students, helping them find their footing and learn to express their love of the arts, and life, through movement. She believes that dancing should be fun and strives to create a fun and safe environment where young dancers are able to grow confidently and creatively as they learn. As Encore’s Director of Children’s Programs, Bridget programs classes and curriculum for young dancers across all styles of dance, but her favorite is being on the dance floor with her students.

Dana DeLucie grew up in Virginia Beach, VA and trained at the National award winning studio, Denise Wall’s Dance Energy. As a member of the DWDE Company, Dana had the distinct honor of performing in numerous pieces choreographed by Emmy winner and So You Think You Can Dance choreographer, Travis Wall. During her time with DWDE, Dana was part of an ensemble that won four NYCDA National Critics’ Choice Awards, the 2009 Capezio A.C.E. Award, and countless regional titles.

Throughout her dance career Dana regularly attended workshops and conventions; including NYCDA, Jump, Nuvo, and West Coast Dance Explosion. She was selected as a NYCDA National Convention Scholarship winner for four consecutive years. Dana has taken master classes with some of the industry’s most innovative dance teachers and choreographers; including Sonya Tayeh, Stacey Tookey, and Mike Minery.

Dana graduated from East Carolina University in May of 2013 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health Studies. She was a four year member of the East Carolina University Dance Team and served as a captain during her senior year. While on the ECU Dance Team, Dana choreographed for numerous team performances. She traveled annually with the ECU Dance Team to Daytona Beach, FL where they competed at NDA Collegiate Nationals. During her senior year the team was featured on CBS College Sports Network as a Dance Division IA finalist, for the first team in school’s history.

Since relocating to the Richmond area in August 2013, Dana has been thrilled to be a part of the Encore family. She is excited to continue to share her passion for dance, unique style, and technical expertise with all of her Encore students!

Angelica BurgosBallet Mistress angelica@encorestudio.com

Miss Burgos is of Dominican - Armenian heritage. Over her performing career she has danced with The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago for 2 years, Sacramento Ballet for 7 years (principal dancer), Ballet Hispanico for 7 years ( principal dancer) & West Side Story on Broadway. Miss Burgos had the pleasure of being the principle in Ron Connigham’s CarminaBurana, Carmen and The Rite of Spring. She danced Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments, Concerto Borocco, Allegro Brillante, Scotch Symphony,Theme and Variation and Western Symphony. In 2010 Burgos joined the cast of West Side Story on Broadway. She has worked with artists such as Pedro Ruiz, Margo Sapinton, Ramon Oller, John Cliford, Annebelle Ochoa Lopes, Val Caniparoli, Trey McIntyre, Septime Weber, Dwight Rhoden, Graciela Daniel, Sergio Trujillo. She was an adjunct teaching Ballet, Point and Jazz at Western Kentucky University from 2012-2015. She has choreographed for WKU spring performance and May 2016 for VCU Freshman Repertory course show. In addition, she is an ABT Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT Teachers Training Intensive in Primary through level three of the ABT National Training Curriculum. Miss Burgos is also fluent in English, Spanish, Russian and Armenian languages.

Veronica began her dance career at the age of seven receiving her first formal ballet training at The Jacksonville School of the Arts in North Carolina. She later went on to receive regular training from a multitude of schools in the Northern Virginia area including Linda's Ballet Workshop, Chris Collins Dance Company, Virginia Ballet Company, and finally graduating from Dance Etc. School of the Arts in 2012.

She studied various styles of dance including Classical and Neoclassical Ballet, Horton based Contemporary, Martha Graham Technique, and both Broadway and commercial style Jazz. Miss Veronica had the opportunity to be a featured soloist in numerous productions at the Dance Etc. School for the Arts for several years.

Veronica was awarded multiple scholarships from world renown schools throughout her professional training including the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, Dance Theatre of Harlem and Virginia's Governor School for the Arts.

She has been formally invited to train with the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, DC and offered a trainee position with The Washington Ballet Company.

Veronica has completed residency programs at The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts and in New York City. She has also received mentorship from world class artist from the New York City Ballet, The Juilliard School, Ballet West, The Alvin Ailey Dance company, and California Institute of the Arts to name a few.

Additionally, Veronica has received vocal and theatrical training and performed in productions in Virginia.

Miss Veronica is currently studying psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Leah CainInstructor leah@encorestudiodio.com

Office Hours: Monday Wednesday and Thursday 12-4:00

Born and raised in Marshall, Wisconsin, Leah began her training at the age of three from Debbie Griggas of Dance Studio 3D. There she found her passion and continued to train for 15 years in all styles of dance. Throughout High School, Leah spent her summers attending many intensive programs including, The Rock School for Dance Education, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Broadway Dance Center, Madison Ballet, and Next Generation Ballet where she was able to build and grow her technique.

Leah followed her passion to Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she graduated in 2017 with a BA in Dance (Jazz concentration) and a BS in Sports, Arts, and Entertainment Management. During her time at Point Park, she excelled in her artistry and technique while teaching dance for YMCA and Studio 3D.

Leah expanded her talents by craftiing her theater skills as a Character Performer at Pittsburgh's amusement park, Kennywood, as well as multiple riverboat tours on the Gateway Clipper.

With her talent and expertise, she is ready to bring inspiration and joy to every class, every performance, every student.

Elizabeth BinghamInstructor

Elizabeth Bingham began dancing at the age of three in Stafford, Virginia, at Barton and Williams School of Dance. After moving to Richmond, she began taking classes at Martinique School of Dance under Shannon Howell and Karen Gravely. In 2010, Martinique School of Dance closed with the retirement of its owner Shannon Howell. That’s when Elizabeth found Encore Studio. She began in the Intensive dancers program and the next year became a part of the first Senior Pink Ladies team at the Westchester location.

Finding her main passion was ballet, Elizabeth began studying in Richmond Ballet’s Upper School program under Judy Jacob, Jasmine Grace, Anne Sidney Hetherington, Igor Antonov, and Cecile Tuzii. Upon graduating the program in 2014, she signed a contract as a Trainee with Richmond Ballet’s professional company for the 2014-2015 season. With Richmond Ballet, Elizabeth performed in company productions such as The Nutcracker and Don Quixote in Richmond; as well as, The Nutcracker on tour in Norfolk.

Elizabeth is currently taking classes at University of Richmond and working towards a career in baking and pastry arts. She is so excited to continue sharing her love for ballet through teaching the students at Encore Studio!

Allie RamirezInstructor

Allie Ramirez is a Hip Hop Choreographer and Instructor. Her goal is to offer true urban Hip Hop to aspiring dancers of Encore Studio. Miss Allie has spent the past six years perfecting her unique style by combining commercial hip-hop with isolation and grooves. Allie continues to professionally train at Millennium Dance Complex, Movement Lifestyle, and IDA Hollywood in California. Allie has trained under and worked with professional hip hop dancers: Jojo Gomez, Will Adams, Matt Steffanina, Dana Alexa, Hamilton Evans, King Guttah, Hollywood, Sorah Yang, Janelle Ginestra, and many more. Miss Allie has had the experience teaching hip hop workshops and classes ranging from beginner to master level. She has also joined the Encore Staff to bring Hip Hop to our competitive teams. She is thrilled to be a part of the Encore family and excited to share her true passion for dance with the Encore students!

Carrie SillerInstructor

Kathleen Oliveri joins Encore in a behind the scenes capacity as our Office Manager. Kathleen has over 30 years business and accounting experience. She is excited to help in the continued growth of Encore. Kathleen has a full appreciation of all things related to the arts. She has an innate love of music, dance, theater and art. She has raised two creative and talented young men. Her eldest son is studying Jazz percussion and is her favorite percussionist! Her younger son is equally talented as an amazing artist and is mapping out his future plans. He is, by far, her favorite artist! Kathleen is from a large Italian family and enjoys all things Mediterranean. She enjoys listening to live music, going to musical / theater productions, watching old movies, spending time with friends and family, cooking and gardening. Kathleen is excited about witnessing the amazing talent that Encore produces.